We mourn the loss of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend, but also we celebrate a life well lived. Betty was born in Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand, on July 25, 1931. Her parents, Cyril and Dulcie Tate, must have instilled a taste for sport and adventure. In her younger years she enjoyed field hockey, tennis, and cycling. At 19 she began her nursing training at New Plymouth Public Hospital, graduating in 1953. During Betty’s nursing training, she climbed to the summit of Mount Taranaki twice and enlisted in the New Zealand Army Medical Corp during the summer months. Betty was Head Nurse at the Men’s Surgical Ward when, in 1958, she conspired with her lifelong friend Val Dirks to embark on one of her great adventures. They quit their nursing jobs in New Zealand and boarded a ship to seek new fortunes in the wilds of British Columbia finding nursing jobs at Miller Bay Indigenous Hospital in Prince Rupert, and later at the Langley Memorial Hospital. The pair would have many adventurous road trips including trips to California and Mexico. While working in Langley, Betty was invited to visit friends in the Shuswap. During this visit, she met the love of her life, Edmond Miege, and started her next big adventure as Eddy’s wife, soulmate and partner on Bastion Ranch. The life of a farmer suited Betty well, but she maintained her adventurous and sporting lifestyle, as well as continuing her career as a nurse at the Shuswap General Hospital. Betty and Eddy had two children, Caroline and David, but also opened their home and generous hearts to many young people and families that stayed on the farm. The family enjoyed traveling to Europe and New Zealand, yet loved being on the farm and enjoying what the Shuswap had to offer. Betty forged lifelong friendships with many people including the Fleur de Lys, Sims, Mitchells, Dirks, and Noakes families. All of these families will long remember her home baked bread and full garden. Betty enjoyed cross country skiing round the trails on the farm as well as being a Jack-Rabbits leader up at Larch Hills. She was also a member of the Shuswap Lady Striders walking and hiking group with her sister Jos Penner. With her friend Joyce Christmas she competed a number of times in the Salmon Arm Team Triathlon as a canoeist. Later, she became involved with dragon boating on the Shuswap, creating a new crew of friends. Along the way, her family expanded with 8 grandchildren, Mico, Alexandra, Aidan, Waylan, Marlee, Benjamin, Connor, and wee Heidi. She was also enormously proud of her family and enjoyed talking about the exploits of her brother Bob, and sisters Jos and Karen, and her many cousins, nieces and nephews in New Zealand, Canada, and Switzerland. Betty passed away peacefully early in the morning of July 20th, 5 days shy of her 86th birthday. In her final days, Betty was never alone, and at the end was held close by her son David and his wife Kathleen. The family wish to extend their thanks to the wonderful staff at Piccadilly Care Centre, and thank Dr. Skubiak for his kindness and compassion.
We wish to invite all of Betty’s friends and family to a celebration of life at Bastion Ranch (6494 Sunnybrae Road) on Sunday September 3 at 11:00 am.
Online condolences may be sent to Betty’s family through her obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com.